Faithful celebrate Christmas Mass at San Fernando

Updated 12:42 am, Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Photo: Bob Owen, San Antonio Express-News

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Bradford Garza kisses the head of the figure of baby Jesus while Irma Martinez holds the infant during the veneration of the Christ child at the end of the 9 a.m. Christmas Mass Service at San Fernando Cathedral.

Bradford Garza kisses the head of the figure of baby Jesus while Irma Martinez holds the infant during the veneration of the Christ child at the end of the 9 a.m. Christmas Mass Service at San Fernando

Parishioners kneel in prayer during the Christmas Mass Service at San Fernando Cathedral. Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012.

Parishioners kneel in prayer during the Christmas Mass Service at San Fernando Cathedral. Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012.

Photo: Bob Owen, San Antonio Express-News

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Worshipers prepare for the veneration of the baby Jesus following the celebration of mass during the 9 AM Christmas Mass Service at San Fernando Cathedral. Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012.

Worshipers prepare for the veneration of the baby Jesus following the celebration of mass during the 9 AM Christmas Mass Service at San Fernando Cathedral. Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012.

Photo: Bob Owen, San Antonio Express-News

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Cati Reyna, right, an Ecumenical Minister at San Fernando Cathedral, gives instructions to Irma Martinez for the veneration of the baby Jesus during the Christmas Mass Service at San Fernando Cathedral. Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012.

Cati Reyna, right, an Ecumenical Minister at San Fernando Cathedral, gives instructions to Irma Martinez for the veneration of the baby Jesus during the Christmas Mass Service at San Fernando Cathedral.

About 150 attended the day's first service, which reverberated with Spanish guitars, a single mariachi trumpet and lovely choir voices.

“Oh, my gosh! This is the happiest Christmas in years,” said Michael Myslenski, an Army lieutenant colonel stationed at Fort Hood.

The season is particularly sweet for the medical officer. In October, Myslenski returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan and is reunited for the holidays with his wife, Julie, and twins Magdalena and Matthew.

The family flew into Killeen from Brooklyn, Conn., a few days ago.

Myslenski said his strong ties to Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston factored into the decision to spend Christmas in San Antonio and take in sights like the Alamo and SeaWorld.

“I'm very comfortable here,” he said.

The Myslenski family arrived early to the cathedral on Tuesday to take photos. An usher invited them to take part in the worship ceremony.

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All four participated in the Mass during the offertory — carrying the wine, Eucharist and candles mid-service. The 7-year-olds kept the candles as mementos.

“We try to get audiences involved,” explained Frank G. Sierra, 70, one of several regular ushers with decades of experience here.

Father Prasanna Mese delivered a message of love, hope and peace, as well as sharing a humorous story or two. The young priest, who hails from India, was conducting his first Christmas Mass in the U.S. — San Antonio style.